Note 3 - Asset Impairment Loss	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]	NOTE 3: ASSET IMPAIRMENT LOSS Americana, Brazil facility As a result of a significant reduction in demand from a key customer at our specialty fibers Americana, Brazil cotton linter facility during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, we evaluated the recoverability of the long-lived assets at this facility in accordance with ASC 360, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” as of December 31, 2011. The results of this test indicated that the Americana assets were impaired as the estimated fair value was less than the carrying value. The fair value was based on the discounted projected cash flows from the continued operation of the waste water treatment facility plus the estimated value in exchange of the remaining assets. Based on this evaluation, and after writing-off recoverable tax assets of $11,945 and inventory of $1,006, which at December 31, 2011 had minimal future use, we determined that the long-lived assets associated with this operation, which have a carrying value of $42,007, were impaired and wrote them down to their fair value of $5,920, resulting in a total impairment charge of $49,038. The impairment is recorded in asset impairment loss on the consolidated statements of operations. On January 12, 2012, we announced our decision to close our specialty fibers Americana, Brazil cotton linter pulp production line, effective immediately. Our decision was due to the facility’s uncompetitive cost position for the products it makes, primarily driven by the high cost of its cotton linter raw material supply. As a result of this closure, 63 positions were eliminated. We are continuing to operate the waste water treatment facility for the shared industrial site while we continue discussions with interested parties for the sale of the facility. As of March 31, 2012, assets of $9,345 and related liabilities of $308 have been reclassified on the balance sheet as other current assets and other current liabilities, as the business is expected to be sold within the next twelve months. King, North Carolina facility As a result of a decision to pursue the sale of the nonwoven materials Merfin Systems converting business in King, North Carolina during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, we evaluated the recoverability of the long-lived assets at the King facility in accordance with ASC 360, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” as of December 31, 2011. Our decision was due to Merfin Systems being a non-core business and our desire to redeploy the proceeds into strategic operations. The results of the recoverability test indicated that the King facility’s assets were impaired as the estimated fair value was less than the carrying value. The fair value was estimated based on the value in exchange for the facility. Based on this evaluation, and after reducing the value of certain other assets by $391, we determined that the long-lived assets associated with this operation, which have a carrying value of $1,434, were impaired and wrote them down to their fair value of $152, resulting in an impairment charge of $1,282. The total loss of $1,673 was recorded in asset impairment loss on the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the goodwill of $2,425 associated with this facility was considered impaired and was written off resulting in an impairment charge. On January 18, 2012, we announced that we signed a definitive agreement to sell the assets and ongoing operations of the Merfin Systems business. On January 31, 2012 we completed the sale of Merfin Systems and recorded proceeds of $5,675 from the sale. As a result of the sale, we recorded additional asset impairment of $92 during the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Note 3 - Asset Impairment Loss

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

NOTE 3: ASSET IMPAIRMENT LOSS

Americana, Brazil facility

As a result of a significant reduction in demand from a key customer at our specialty fibers Americana, Brazil cotton linter facility during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, we evaluated the recoverability of the long-lived assets at this facility in accordance with ASC 360, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” as of December 31, 2011. The results of this test indicated that the Americana assets were impaired as the estimated fair value was less than the carrying value. The fair value was based on the discounted projected cash flows from the continued operation of the waste water treatment facility plus the estimated value in exchange of the remaining assets. Based on this evaluation, and after writing-off recoverable tax assets of $11,945 and inventory of $1,006, which at December 31, 2011 had minimal future use, we determined that the long-lived assets associated with this operation, which have a carrying value of $42,007, were impaired and wrote them down to their fair value of $5,920, resulting in a total impairment charge of $49,038. The impairment is recorded in asset impairment loss on the consolidated statements of operations.

On January 12, 2012, we announced our decision to close our specialty fibers Americana, Brazil cotton linter pulp production line, effective immediately. Our decision was due to the facility’s uncompetitive cost position for the products it makes, primarily driven by the high cost of its cotton linter raw material supply. As a result of this closure, 63 positions were eliminated. We are continuing to operate the waste water treatment facility for the shared industrial site while we continue discussions with interested parties for the sale of the facility. As of March 31, 2012, assets of $9,345 and related liabilities of $308 have been reclassified on the balance sheet as other current assets and other current liabilities, as the business is expected to be sold within the next twelve months.

King, North Carolina facility

As a result of a decision to pursue the sale of the nonwoven materials Merfin Systems converting business in King, North Carolina during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, we evaluated the recoverability of the long-lived assets at the King facility in accordance with ASC 360, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” as of December 31, 2011. Our decision was due to Merfin Systems being a non-core business and our desire to redeploy the proceeds into strategic operations. The results of the recoverability test indicated that the King facility’s assets were impaired as the estimated fair value was less than the carrying value. The fair value was estimated based on the value in exchange for the facility. Based on this evaluation, and after reducing the value of certain other assets by $391, we determined that the long-lived assets associated with this operation, which have a carrying value of $1,434, were impaired and wrote them down to their fair value of $152, resulting in an impairment charge of $1,282. The total loss of $1,673 was recorded in asset impairment loss on the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the goodwill of $2,425 associated with this facility was considered impaired and was written off resulting in an impairment charge. On January 18, 2012, we announced that we signed a definitive agreement to sell the assets and ongoing operations of the Merfin Systems business. On January 31, 2012 we completed the sale of Merfin Systems and recorded proceeds of $5,675 from the sale. As a result of the sale, we recorded additional asset impairment of $92 during the quarter ended March 31, 2012.